Mick’s warning

MICK McCARTHY has warned Ireland to beware suffering the same humiliation as scotland did against Kazakhstan when they open their euro 2020 campaign in Gibraltar tonight.

there are severe weather warnings in place here and the exposed stadium is set to be battered by gales. Factor in the artificial pitch, which risks becoming waterlogged, and it has all the makings of an uneasy start for McCarthy in his first game since returning as boss in November.

‘Gibraltar will be bang at it,’ he said. ‘It’s like the old Fa Cup ties we see in england. We saw it with Scotland. It’s a stark warning of what can happen.’

McCarthy paid tribute to Burnley’s Jon Walters, 35, who has quit football because of an achilles problems.

‘He was an inspirational player for Ireland,’ said McCarthy. ‘It’s sad when you lose those players.’ GIBRALTAR v REP of IRELAND: 5pm, Victoria Stadium. TV: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event from 4.30pm.